Pregnant Pause?

Should keen cyclists keep riding deep into pregnancy? We speak to Lizzie Deignan and others about their experiences and how that compares to official advice...

- Nicola Smith

World champion track and road cyclist Lizzie Deignan announced in February that she is pregnant with her second child, due to be born in September 2022. Having continued to cycle until three days before the birth of her first child - daughter Orla, born in September 2018 - she returned to racing seven months later and won the OVO Energy Women's Tour of Britain just nine months after giving birth.

Deignan hopes her return to the TrekSegafredo team will be just as speedy this time, but how can women continue to enjoy cycling safely during pregnancy, and how quickly should mere mortals expect to get back on the bike after giving birth?

Sheffield-based GP Dr Andy Douglas, whose wife Rebecca Douglas continued cycling during her pregnancy in 2021 including cycling to her pregnancy scans says there is a lack of advice around exercise, and specifically cycling, during pregnancy. "I have knowledge and training in it from my job as a GP, but otherwise the information from most sources, such as midwives, GPs and pregnancy booklets, is fairly limited," he admits.

Indeed, the NHS website offers a page of generic 'Exercise in pregnancy' advice, including "Keep up your normal exercise for as long as you feel comfortable" and "Exercises that have a risk of falling, such as horse riding, downhill skiing, ice hockey, gymnastics and cycling, should only be done with caution. Falls carry a risk of damage to your baby." As for intensity? "Do not exhaust yourself" and "As a general rule, you should be able to hold a conversation as you exercise when pregnant". It advises consulting your maternity team if in doubt.